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2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chrysler Pt Cruiser do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 202.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 69 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports15 fire reports14 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

20 reports
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55,000 miles · Oct 27, 2006
Air BagsSeat Belts

9/1/06 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 9/29/06, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR. THAT DAY I CALLED CHRYSLER AGA…

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9/1/06 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR MY DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED . AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS TO CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DIVISION, THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 9/29/06, MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS DRIVING 50 MILES AN HOUR. THAT DAY I CALLED CHRYSLER AGAIN AND AN INVESTIGATION WAS CREATED. AFTER THE INVESTIGATION CHRYSLER FOUND NO RESPONSIBILITY ON THEIR PART. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY FOUND THE DEFECT TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND WILL NOT COVER THE DEPLOYED AIR BAGS OR LOCKED SEAT BELT. AT THIS TIME THERE HAS BEEN NO REPARATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172011

42,000 miles · Sep 21, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WAS BRAKING PRIOR TO THE IMPACT HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THE DEALE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. THERE WAS BRAKING PRIOR TO THE IMPACT HOWEVER, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE OCCUPANTS OF BOTH VEHICLES SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.

NHTSA ODI #10168831

49,500 miles · May 30, 2006
Air BagsCrash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, WITH PRIOR BRAKING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH AN SUV. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, WITH PRIOR BRAKING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE IMPACT WITH AN SUV. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND HAS BEEN DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10158551

66,000 miles · Apr 7, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT OCCURRED HOWEVER, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS REPLACED. THE POLICE WERE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT OCCURRED HOWEVER, THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. EVEN THOUGH THE CONTACT WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. ALTHOUGH, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT INSPECTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS REPLACED. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 05/04/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154806

11,000 miles · Dec 6, 2005
Air Bags

DT: CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO, IT MADE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144599

59,712 miles · Nov 10, 2005
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, GT MODEL, HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. FIRST, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A HOSE, THEN IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. IT DID, AT 28,000 MILES, IT WAS THE TURBO CHARGER. SECONDLY…

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MY 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER, GT MODEL, HAS HAD PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE HAD IT. FIRST, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY REPLACED A HOSE, THEN IT CAME ON AGAIN, AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH, AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT WENT COMPLETELY OUT. IT DID, AT 28,000 MILES, IT WAS THE TURBO CHARGER. SECONDLY, THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONED, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE SEAT, TOOK THREE TIMES TO GET THE RIGHT SEAT. THIRD, NOW, I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, AND IT JUST SIT THERE, THEN JERKS INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES IF YOU GIVE IT GAS IT WOULD JUST REV UP. THEY SAID IT WAS THE PUMP IN THE TRANSMISSION, THEY TOOK 4 PLUS DAYS TO REPLACE IT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP I HEARD A NOISE AND SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. WHEN I TOOK IT OUT THERE THEY DIDN'T HEAR OR SMELL ANYTHING SO I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. THEN IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING IT DID WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I TOOK IT IN, HE SAID IT NEEDED A BATTERY. I PUT A DIEHARD BATTERY IN IT, BUT SEARS SAID THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEN THE CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THEY SAID IT WAS THE EVAC PUMP. THEY FIXED THAT. THEY CLAIMED THAT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY I HAD WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN TWO WEEKS BEFORE. NOW, I HEAR A GRINDING WHEN I START THE CAR UP, SOMEONE SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE THE FLYWHEEL AND THEY DIDN'T ASSEMBLE THE TRANSMISSION CORRECTLY, AND THAT WAS PROBABLY WHERE THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I AM TAKING IT IN TO THE SHOP TODAY FOR THIS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10142376

35,000 miles · Nov 26, 2004
Air BagsCrashFire

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER REPORTED NO INJURIES. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10101670

81,000 miles · Nov 17, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 50 TO 55 MPH AND REAR ENDED A TRUCK. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10101227

9,000 miles · Dec 18, 2003
Air BagsCrash

AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE WAS HIT IN A 3 CAR COLLISION. THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE CENTER OF THIS COLLISION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051794

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, ALSO THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10017886

Official recalls

2

04V268000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jun 3, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4L NON-TURBOCHARGED ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE MAY CONTACT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, POTENTIALLY DAMAGING THE HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RELOCATE, OR REPLACE AS NECESSARY, THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND CONFIRM TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

03V076000 · Power Train:clutch Assembly

Mar 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, MANUAL TRANSMISSION MODELS ONLY, A WELDED PIN INTERNAL TO THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) ASSEMBLY CAN UNSEAT AND BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE FLYWHEEL AND THE CLUTCH DISC.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CLUTCH MAY NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLYWHEEL AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLIES WITH THE UPDATED DESIGN PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 14, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE04028 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Mar 15, 2004 · Closed Jun 18, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Steering

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:power Steering Fluid

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

PE04-028 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE SEVEN COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE ON MY 2002 PT CRUISER VEHICLES.ON JUNE 3, 2004, DAIMLERCHRYSLER (DCC) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT IN MY 2001-2005 PT CRUISER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NATURALLY ASPIRATED 2.4L ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES (RECALL 04V-268).THE NOTIFICATION IDENTIFIED VARIATION OF THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING, WHICH ALLOWED THE HOSE TO CONTACT THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER, AS THE FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS DEFECT.CONTACT BETWEEN THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER CAN CAUSE HOSE DAMAGE AND POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE, WHICH CAN POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE. (NOTE: THE FAILURE DATA IN THIS RESUME IS LIMITED TO MY 2001-2003 VEHICLES PER DCC'S PE04-028 INFORMATION RESPONSES.)THIS CONDITION WAS LIMITED TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES AS VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS HAVE SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND THE POWER STEERING HOSE DUE TO A SMALLER TRANSAXLE DESIGN.THIS CONDITION ALSO DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLES WITH TURBO ENGINES, WHICH HAVE A DIFFERENT POWER STEERING HOSE ROUTING THAT PROVIDES SUBSTANTIAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TRANSAXLE DIFFERENTIAL COVER AND HOSE.DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY INSPECTED AND RELOCATED, OR REPLACED, AS NECESSARY, AND TO CONFIRM THE TORQUE OF THE HOSE FASTENER AT THE STEERING GEAR END.

PE02082 · Safety Belt Cinching Latch Plate

Opened Nov 6, 2002 · Closed Apr 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

THERE ARE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.WHILE CONDUCTING THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI FOUND THAT THE SUBJECT CINCHES MEET THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD 208, AND THAT MANY OF THE REPORTED FAILURES WERE DUE TO INCORRECT CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSTALLATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, THE REPORT RATE IS LOW (1.60/100K).THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE FAILS TO ESTABLISH THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME.FURTHER ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES TO THIS ISSUE IS UNWARRANTED AND THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS BEING CLOSED.